Fishing at Muskrat Lake, Richmond County, Nova Scotia

• Overview

  Set in Richmond County, Muskrat Lake is a Nova Scotia water. It sits in lake country bush country. Small even by pond standards, it rewards one careful line. On size it sits at the modest end of our Richmond County list. Supplies mean a trip to St. Peter's, 16 km off. The nearest city of size is Sydney, 65 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Muskrat Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Being tidal, the water moves twice a day, and the fishing moves with it. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Richmond County cover Atlantic salmon, coalfish, striped bass and Atlantic cod. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Muskrat Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 18°C on average, February about -6°C. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late December in autumn. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. That is the shape of the year on Muskrat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Finlayson Lake at 1.2 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Muskrat Lake before loading the car.